New Labor leader Bill Shorten’s support for carbon pricing is actually a deft assault on Tony Abbott’s weak spot, his hard right flank. International pressure for market-based climate solutions is mounting, and Australia’s credibility hangs in the balance.
People
Tony Abbott may need CEFC to save Direct Action
Tony Abbott faces a near impossible task tailoring Direct Action to meet current and future emission reduction targets. The CEFC could deliver abatement at negative cost to the government, and help solve its problems about what to do with ageing coal assets.
Tony Abbott’s climate wasteland policy hits major roadblocks
Climate Change Authority to continue work, but Coalition does not want it to undertake RET review. Meanwhile, Flannery is back with Climate Council.
Five things we learned about Tony Abbott’s first week
The Upper Middle Bogan Party sworn in on a full moon; Bintang Army deployed to stop the boats; Green Army deployed to stop the science. Plus, the rephrasing of Australia’s energy sources; how to blow a carbon bubble; and why Tony Abbott will try and nail jelly to a tree.
Tony Abbott sworn in, turns against climate programs
Abbott swoops on climate programs, shuffles heads of department; Hunt takes control of RET; Macfarlane gets ARENA, nuclear energy and thorium.
Tony Abbott’s business advisor attacks “myth” of climate change
Another close advisor to Tony Abbott hits out at “climate change” propaganda and “vested” interests of CSIRO and BoM. Could a science minister respond?
Tony Abbott’s mentor John Howard to address climate skeptic group
John Howard to address climate skeptic think tank, The Australian publishes another climate beat-up; and Greg Hunt retains environment portfolio.
Across America in 6 days: Elon Musk’s Tesla Model S challenge
The billionaire Tesla founder is planning a 6 day, 3200 mile ‘family road trip’ in his Model S EV, with only 9 hrs spent charging. Can it be done?
Tony Abbott gets crash course in carbon bubbles
The cancellation of the massive Wandoan coal project was only supposed to happen under a Labor government. But as a new analysis from Citi suggests, the next decade will look nothing like the past, shocking as that may be to the Coalition. Countries pinning their economic hopes on Chinese coal demand are in serious trouble.
Wind energy biggest loser as Abbott sweeps to power
The biggest and most obvious loser from the Australian election result is the $20 billion wind energy industry. Three years ago Australians voted to save the planet, make love and then shoot the lights out. Now they have voted to axe the tax, trash the turbines, did up coal – and then go down with Clive Palmer’s remake of the Titanic.